I am currently engrossed in a series of Iain Banks novels.

Interestingly, I haven't delved into his science fiction works just yet. He is truly a remarkable writer.

I find myself wondering why I didn't discover him earlier.

So far, I have read "Stonemouth", which I would say is good but not outstanding.

"Whit" and "Complicity", on the other hand, are truly great and ingenious.

Their solid plots and engaging narratives make me feel as if I want to read them aloud.

I have just begun "The Crow Road", and so far, it has been quite interesting.

I can't wait to see where this literary journey takes me with Iain Banks' works.

Each novel seems to offer a unique and captivating experience, and I am excited to explore more of his literary universe.

It's like uncovering a hidden treasure trove of great stories, and I'm eager to see what else lies ahead.

This is an extremely superior piece that combines sex and violence in a most captivating way. It's like the great works of literature such as Hamlet or the Duchess of Malfi, yet it takes things a step further with a more explicit nature.

The story unfolds with a raw intensity that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The vivid descriptions of both the passionate encounters and the brutal acts of violence create a palpable sense of excitement and danger.

It's a truly unputdownable work that challenges the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Once you start reading, you'll find yourself completely immersed in this world of sex and violence, unable to tear yourself away until the very end.

Whether you're a fan of literature or simply looking for a thrilling read, this piece is sure to satisfy. It offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the final page.

I simply couldn't bring myself to be complicit in finishing this particular book. I had picked it up as one of the rare examples of a text that contains sections written in the second person. After all, I am currently studying point of view for a degree module. While it was indeed interesting to observe the difference that presenting something in this point of view makes, I found that much of the chapters I read were rather crass. There was an excessive usage of a particular swear word that I find highly distasteful.

Moreover, on page 12 of my copy, there was a truly bizarre sentence: "It looks a bit like spastics trying to dance an Eightsome Reel, but that isn't an image I'd use in the article." Ironically, Iain Banks seemed to have no such reservations. Additionally, there were some incredibly graphic scenes of assaults and such that I simply couldn't get through. Writing in the second person is known to be challenging to maintain, but the writing in the first person didn't manage to endear the characters to me either. So, I must admit that I gave up in chapter 5.

Overall, this book didn't quite live up to my expectations, despite its unique point of view. It had its interesting aspects, but the drawbacks were just too significant for me to continue.

The participation makes you accused: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/s...

In the center is the journalist Cameron Cole, who is not exactly a worthy example of the profession - drugs and stimulants are his constant companion. Recently, an anonymous voice has connected with him, providing him with a little information related to a grandiose fraud, leaving a series of corpses whose deaths have not been investigated deeply enough, and he is ready for anything to get to this story. His life is anything but successful, but at least he tries to write the truth. And it is often unpleasant - in his articles, he has exposed many people whom the justice system has left unpunished. And this seems to be in the order of things, until the moment when someone starts to beat those who have managed to escape revenge - inventive and smart, the killer punishes each of them in a way that directly reminds of the crime they committed.

Colibri Books

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The 5th star is awarded to Iain for his tenacity in employing second-person prose, a style that is often overlooked in everyday literature.

From the very first page, you experience the story through the eyes of a murderer. It's an otherworldly sensation as, for once, you get to intimately feel and understand a character. You're not just an observer like a fly on the wall or an eavesdropper; you are the character!

But only sometimes...

The narrative mainly centers around a "free-wheeling, substance-abusing" journalist named Cameron Colley. He believes he has the scoop of a lifetime. However, all he really has is an unknown caller who utters another name. Still, there's something intriguing about the recent spate of bizarre deaths and the names this random caller keeps mentioning.

It could indeed be a huge story...

"Complicity" is a remarkable crime thriller that unfolds splendidly on each page. Every detail is impeccably placed, not only the elements of the story but also the paragraphs, the chapters, and the seamless flow of sections within each chapter. And like all great crime novels, it patiently withholds all the evidence, gradually sprinkling more and more. It's like catnip for curious humans.

"Complicity" simply delves into morality in a dark and twisted manner. It explores the moralities of humanity and the sins that so many of us are capable of. And it does so masterfully.

Highly recommended!

Another solid read from Banks.

It falls within his typical domain of dry wit, featuring a hedonistic protagonist who has a penchant for class A drugs and a sort of gently meandering plot that suddenly goes into overdrive towards the end. I initially found it a bit of a struggle to get engaged from the first 50 pages or so. However, once it took off, it was an excellent ride. The comedy is as good as usual, and Banks is truly an expert in the craft, especially when it comes to character creation. Each character has their own little idiosyncrasies that make them human and, consequently, realistically funny. The mystery element was also good. As previously mentioned, it doesn't really "kick in" until the end when the tension ramps up significantly, and then as a thriller, it's of high quality.

Complicity is perhaps best characterized as a comedy thriller. But when it's a comedy, it's a genuine comedy, and when it's a thriller, it's a proper thriller. The crime elements are not meant to be humorous but are truly quite unsettling. And then, just when you're feeling unnerved, you're hit with the comedy again. It's definitely a fun read.

Regarding the ending, specifically in the final 50 pages or so, I thought the setup was interesting. After all, Cameron doesn't ideologically disagree with Andy (and perhaps, by proxy, the reader doesn't either) except for the fact that he uses violent means, which Cameron is appalled by. So the choice of whether to report him or not was an effective one in terms of leaving the book and making you ask yourself the question of what you would have done.

Over the past 30 years, Scotland has given birth to several eclectic bands that have left a profound mark on the evolution of rock music. Bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Cocteau Twins, Belle and Sebastien, and even Franz Ferdinand have made their mark.

****
When I initially presented this novel to Banks, I questioned whether a similar eclecticism could be found in contemporary Scottish literature. My interest was piqued when the main protagonist, Gonzo journalist Cameron Colley, used a Pixies tape in his car to stay awake during his nightly drive home. Banks, in his portrayal of Colley, adhered to the Gonzo ethics: minimal objectivity, a strong social critique, self-deprecating humor, constant reference to personal experiences (including some rather illicit ones), first-person narration (except for the murderer, which is intriguingly in the second person), and a liberal use of profanity.

****
Without revealing too much of the story, I can say that the murder mystery plot was quite engaging, intricate yet still linear, and the character development was masterfully executed. I had no qualms with the language or the sexual content of the novel (it doesn't even come close to American Psycho). There wasn't a single dull moment throughout the book. If this isn't his best novel, I'm eagerly anticipating reading more of Banks' work.

4 stars to this smart, well-written novel by Iain Banks. Hell, it hurts me not to give it even a 4.5 besides not listing it among my favourites, but I have my reasons for that.

To start with, 'Complicity' is a psychological thriller set in Scotland. Its protagonist, Cameron Colley, is an Edinburgh-based journalist. When he writes a pro-leftist piece criticising a few right-wing politicians and the same politicians start turning up dead in mysterious circumstances, Colley is unable to provide alibis and becomes the prime suspect in the case. The investigating officer, however, seems to believe in his innocence. When he suggests that the killer's identity might be found in Colley's past, the flashbacks reveal a lot of truths. Suddenly, each of the characters don't look the decent individuals you presumed they would be.

There are a lot (and I mean it) of good things about this book. The book is written in Gonzo style, which basically means the story is being narrated in first person. The brilliance of this approach lies in that Banks uses this tool both for the protagonist Colley and the mysterious serial killer. As a result, you are perplexed as to whether Colley is indeed the culprit. The reader needs to be alert as Banks keeps switching the narration between Colley and the killer in almost every chapter until the identity of the killer is revealed. It all might seem a bit confusing at first but one gets used to it.

The descriptions of all the murders that take place are excellent. You feel as if you are right there watching the killer do it. It's all bloody and gory with a sexual element to it (sometimes), but it's one of the strongest points of the book. There's also a generous amount of sex in it as well, but it doesn't dampen your view of the book even one bit.

I also loved how Banks indulges in concepts like morality, greed and the darker side of human beings. He also explores the socio-economic theories of capitalism and socialism, besides dabbling a bit in political ideologies through discussions among his book's characters.

The only thing I disliked about this book was how the protagonist goes on and on about his gaming habits. I understand that the guy is an avid gamer and it might be important to mention that in the process of characterisation, but it just irritated the heck out of me reading about what world he's building in this game named Despot and how he's installing drainage pipes in his city, taking over feudal lords and what not. Way too much space is wasted on that which made me reduce one star from what otherwise was near-perfect.

All in all, 'Complicity' is an ingenious and devilishly good crime thriller and I highly recommend it for fans of crime fiction.

I really enjoyed this. It had a certain charm and appeal that kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, I have to admit that I keep mixing it up with another Iain Banks book that I read roughly at the same time. This can be a bit frustrating as I find myself confusing the plotlines and characters of the two.

Despite this, I still appreciate the unique writing style and creativity that Iain Banks brings to his works. Each of his books seems to have its own distinct flavor and atmosphere.

I will probably need to go back and re-read both books to sort out my confusion and fully appreciate the nuances of each. But for now, I can say that I had a good experience reading this particular Iain Banks novel.

Rampage, corrupt relationships, and a whole lot of blood. And of course, the perfect plot where everything ties up neatly and resolves correctly, without any loose ends. Banks from the zeros, as we know and love him.

This story is filled with intense action and drama. The concept of a rampage immediately grabs the reader's attention, making them eager to know what will happen next. The mention of corrupt relationships adds an element of mystery and complexity, hinting at hidden motives and secrets.

The abundance of blood emphasizes the violence and danger present in the story, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. The idea of a perfect plot that ties up all the loose ends is appealing, as it provides a sense of satisfaction and closure for the reader. And finally, the reference to Banks from the zeros gives a nod to a familiar and beloved character, adding a touch of nostalgia and familiarity to the story.

I have just finished reading this truly riveting book by Mr Iain Banks, and I find myself eager to explore his works further.

It was a thoroughly entertaining read, filled with some extremely visceral themes that really made me think.

Interestingly, my line manager recommended this book to me, and by a stroke of serendipity, I found it in a charity shop that very evening.

However, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this being his recommendation. The book delved into unwavering detail regarding violence, sex, and drug use.

It's almost like he's a parent who has given the okay for me to watch an 18-rated movie, and neither of us can admit that we both noticed the inappropriate parts.

Despite this, I have to admit that I was a big fan of the book. Maybe some more psychological thrillers will be just what I need as we endure this cold, wet January.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other literary treasures Mr Iain Banks has in store for me.

I really liked this literary thriller. Brett Easton Ellis is the author, and it's like what American Psycho would have been if it hadn't been so bad.

I'm going to give it a few days to really sink in before I give it a star rating. It did have some issues, but overall it was very enjoyable.

Maybe I can persuade Nelle to give another Banks Nelle a try. I think she might like it too. The story was engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and interesting.

Even though there were a few flaws, they didn't overshadow the overall quality of the book. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.